We are excited to announce that, starting today, Ryan Hanlon will join NCFA as Vice President of Education, Research, and Constituent Services. Ryan succeeds Megan Lestino, current Vice President of Public Policy and Education. Megan joined NCFA in 2010 and oversees NCFA's advocacy efforts at the federal and state level, as well as our various public and professional education programs. Her time with NCFA comes to a close at the end of August.

In his new role, Ryan will oversee NCFA’s educational projects, including the annual National Adoption Conference for adoption professionals—which in 2017 had the largest attendance of any NCFA conference to date—as well as our in person and online educational programs, trainings, and resources. He will also lead NCFA’s research initiatives, including a longitudinal foster care research project in Mississippi, and serve as co-editor of NCFA’s monthly Adoption Advocate publication. Additionally, Ryan will serve as liaison to NCFA’s child welfare constituency members including adoption service providers, adoption attorneys, and organizations across the United States. As Vice President, Ryan will also be engaged in NCFA’s financial operations and strategic vision, alongside president and CEO Chuck Johnson, Vice President of Development Lauren Koch, and the NCFA Board of Directors.

“Since our founding in 1980, NCFA has grown to be one of the most influential voices in the adoption community, helping to shape the policies and practices that better serve children, families, and all those touched by adoption,” says Chuck Johnson. “Ryan joins us at a great time in our organization’s history. Under Megan’s leadership, our educational and research programs are stronger than ever. I look forward to building on our success by welcoming Ryan’s insights into our work to bring timely, high-quality educational resources and research to the adoption community.” After Megan’s departure, Mr. Johnson will oversee the organization’s advocacy initiatives, with the assistance of Public Policy and Education Manager Erin Bayles and Director of Communications Julie Shull.

Ryan comes to NCFA with over thirteen years of experience as an adoption professional, where he most recently served as the Executive Director of America World Adoption Agency, a Hague-accredited agency that focuses on both domestic and intercountry adoption. In addition to his adoption experience, Ryan has experience serving as a foster care caseworker as well as with child protective services.

In the field of adoption, Ryan has been a speaker at national conferences, and has worked on accreditation issues as well as state licensing matters. In coming to NCFA, he states, “I’m excited to continue NCFA’s legacy of caring for all those impacted by adoption and look forward to working with member agencies, individuals, and partner organizations to ensure every child has a permanent family.”

After receiving his B.A., Ryan went on to earn three Master’s degrees, including a MA in Liberal Arts, a MS in Nonprofit Management, as well as a Master of Social Work degree. He has served as a social work field instructor to both undergraduate and graduate students and teaches social work in an adjunct capacity to both undergraduate and graduate students at a local university. Ryan is currently pursuing his Ph.D.